Artist of the Month: APRIL

William Kentridge

By: M. Weber

    Perhaps you have never heard of South African artist William Kentridge, but I can assure you that his works are going to amaze you. Most probably known for his animated art films, he is also author of numerous prints and drawings.
    His works are particularly interesting to study as he portrays a very unique perspective through his ethnically Jewish and South African background, but the basis of the socio-political background of both his ethnicity and place of birth must be known to understand his works. Aspects of social injustice, vulnerability and power are constantly interpreted in his works. With his unique way of portraying his also unique perspective of on political and social issues of the time, Kentridge has raised himself to the utmost ranking of South African artists.
    He has experimented with a huge variety of unusual mediums, including producing tapestries, murals and even working as a theatre director for an opera, combining poetic beauty with subjects like totalitarianism, colonialism and apartheid, making his work as impactful as they are remarkable.

"I am interested in a political art, that is to say an art of ambiguity, contradiction, uncompleted gestures and uncertain ending - an art (and a politics) in which optimism is kept in check, and nihilism at bay." - William Kentridge